Krantzkloof in your garden: part 2

Welcoming Krantzkloof in to your garden

Wanderings through the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve are rewarding on so many levels: the fresh air, the escape, the beauty. And although the stunning views and numerous waterfalls are certainly enough to attract most visitors, the paths that link these featured sites can be appreciated for far more than just a route between viewpoints.

On closer inspection, the trails are bursting with life that is in an ancient and natural balance. There is an impressive diversity of plants (and animals that they attract and support), each serving their unique purpose, and each with a fascinating ecological story to tell. This series of articles is here to introduce you to these stories and also help you bring these species (and a bit of Krantzkloof) in to your own garden. Each featured plant is accompanied by a downloadable and printable factsheet – so you can learn more about the plant, and how to grow and care for it. When visiting Krantzkloof NR again, you will also be able to expand your sightseeing to include these indigenous species and possibly spot the animals they interact with.

Help to protect and conserve

Although most local species are well-conserved in our surrounding reserves, there are a few that have been badly affected by the activities of humankind. For this reason, we will be featuring at least one rare/endangered plant species in each edition to shed light on the plight of some of our surrounding flora. More importantly, our how-to-grow factsheets will help you to care for and propagate these plants in your own garden or home, ultimately helping to expand the range of its otherwise declining population. Of course, this increased plant diversity will attract various wildlife, promote healthier ecosystems and help maintain fauna diversity too. So, if you’ve ever wondered how you can help the natural world around you – this is how!

Five featured flora

Asparagus densiflorus (Foxtail fern)

Asparagus densiflorus (Foxtail fern)

Photo: Kerileigh Lobban

Although commonly called a fern it is not a fern at all, and is in fact a close relative of the vegetable asparagus. It is a very attractive, evergreen plant with feathery plumes that are densely-covered in needle-like leaflets. It makes for a beautiful houseplant that needs limited care, is fairly drought-resistant and easy to grow. It is a very effective accent plant in rockeries and in hanging baskets. The plant remains bright green throughout the year and makes for a stunning contrast with the showy bright red berries that it bears.

Crocosmia aurea (Falling stars)

Crocosmia aurea (Falling stars)

Photo: Kerileigh Lobban

A decorative shade plant that has both attractive foliage and showy flowers. It thrives in moist habitats and can form large communities in the wild. In the garden, it is recommended that they are planted en masse for best effect, however, they are aggressive growers and can become invasive in the flowerbed. Simply divide the corms in spring to keep clumps under control. Flowers and fruit both retain their colours for a long time and therefore make ideal additions in flower displays. They also attract a variety of wildlife and would certainly bring any semi-shaded garden to life.

Erythrina lysistemon (Common coral tree)

Erythrina lysistemon (Common coral tree)

Of the ± 100 species of Erythrina that occur in the warm regions of the world, nine occur in southern Africa. Erythrina lysistemon is one of the best known and most widely grown species in South African – with attractive foliage in summer and dazzling rosette-shaped flowers that contrast the otherwise drab flora of the cool winter months. The tree remains leafless for 4 – 5 months of the year and is ideal for areas in the garden that need sun in winter and shade in summer. It must be noted, however, that the tree should not be planted close to permanent structures due to the aggressive nature of the roots.

An almost identical twin

Erythrina lysistemon is very similar to and is often confused with Erythrina caffra, the coast coral tree. In fact, they were regarded as the same species for many years and are difficult to tell apart when not in flower. Erythrina caffra grows in coastal and riverine fringe forests and is generally taller than E. lysistemon. Erythrina caffra flowers are more orange in colour and occasionally a cream-flowered form that can be seen. Petals are also shorter and broader and the stamens stick out of the flower – giving them a “whisker” look.

Stangeria eriopus (Natal grass cycad)

Stangeria eriopus (Natal grass cycad)

Photo: Alison Young

Stangeria eriopus (Natal grass cycad)

Photo: Alison Young

A slow-growing perennial cycad that is so unique in appearance that it was originally thought to be a fern. It is a highly adaptable species that can be found in many habitats, from coastal grasslands to inland forests. It can live to a great age, reaching maturity at 5–7 years when dioecious plants begin producing cones (i.e. male and female cones on separate plants). It is a fully protected species under Appendix I of CITES and is under increasing threat from habitat loss and exploitation for the medicinal plant trade – which mostly utilises the carrot-shaped roots for a variety of treatments.

Gerrardanthus tomentosus

Gerrardanthus tomentosus

Photo: Paolo Candotti

This unisexual perennial climber is rarely seen not only because it has such a limited distribution range and small population size but also because the plant’s enlarged grey-barked, semi-subterranean caudices can grow so large that they may be mistaken for one of the small boulders between which they grow. This species can be found in moist, shaded wooded areas often at the base of cliffs. It is a slow developing species that can take years to flower and seed. Seeds are dispersed by wind – with the aid of “wings”.

The shoots that climb up neighbouring vegetation, the tendrils that aid this expansion and the underneath of the angular, dull green leaves are densely covered in hairs (i.e. tomentose), hence the specific epitet “tomentosus”. This species has managed to survive in protected areas such as the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve and due to the inaccessibility of its habitat for development or agriculture. Threats include habitat invasion by alien species and collection for medicinal purposes – not because it is a sought-after species but because it can be mistaken for the similar-looking G. macrorhizus.

Write in to us and win!

Silverglen Medicinal Plant Nursery has kindly provided us with healthy plants of one of this edition’s featured rare/endangered species: Stangeria eriopus, to give away.

To stand a chance to win one of these plants, simply email us at info@kloofconservancy.org.za.

About the author

Kerileigh’s interest in gardening began in her early years and has grown in favour of indigenous flora and ecological farming, where she is able to apply her UKZN teachings in Biological Science. She is a devoted animal lover and a passionate advocate for the natural world, with fond memories of a year and a half spent in a tent in a Madagascar forest collecting field data in pursuit of her MSc. These days she juggles scientific journal editing, training in animal rehabilitation, running a co-founded design and media company, Ranga Media, as well as volunteering on the Kloof Conservancy Executive Board.

A Kloof Conservancy Project

About The Leopard’s Echo

The Leopard's Echo is Kloof Conservancy's bi-annual magazine. We feature articles on a variety of nature-related topics that celebrate our wonderful biodiversity.

www.kloofconservancy.org.za
info@kloofconservancy.org.za

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